Results 25,581-25,600 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: The truth is that the number of people on the live register is 448,600 people, 7,300 more than the day the Government entered office. The Government pointed to increased tourism numbers in 2011. There is evidence of that and we welcome it. That increase is compared to the exceptionally low base in 2010 and the signs of recovery in tourism were evident before the VAT reduction took effect...
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: If we look at the combined effect of the changes announced yesterday and today, when we examine the figures closely, the people who will be hardest hit are working families with children and families dependent on welfare. If we take two examples we can see this. A working family with four children over the course of a year will lose â¬432 child benefit and while we can quibble about the...
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: -----and the family now relies on mortgage interest supplement to heat the family home. They will lose â¬228 on child benefit. They will lose â¬120 on fuel allowance. For the youngest child they will lose â¬200 on the back to school allowance and for the two older children they will lose â¬105 between them. With much less disposable income the VAT increase will cost them approximately...
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: It is all very well to tell people it is not-----
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: It is all very well to tell people the Government is not increasing their income tax and not cutting their basic welfare rates, but that is cold comfort to families already struggling to get by and they realise the impact the budget will have on them. These families will certainly not take the advice of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, and book a holiday any...
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: The Government is not asking the very high earners in the economy to make any contribution bar a token gesture of 5% for those who are sheltering income with tax relief. On the broader economic picture, the detail of today's document again reveals that the Government has downgraded its growth forecast for 2012. It has only been approximately three weeks since it came out with the medium-term...
- Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: Since coming to power the Government's strategy has been to look for easy targets to raise tax revenue - ideally once it believes people will not notice. It raided private pensions for â¬460 million, but because people do not see it coming out of their disposable income the Government felt it would get away with it. It is now focusing on VAT, hoping people will not notice that either. The...
- Statements on Expenditure (5 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: Great for jobs.
- Statements on Expenditure (5 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: Job creation.
- Statements on Expenditure (5 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: We know the Ceann Comhairle does not like having an Opposition but we have one.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (1 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 62: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [38079/11]
- Written Answers — Court Sittings: Court Sittings (1 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 127: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that the required statutory instrument is in place to allow the sitting of the Castletownbere District Court in the Bantry District Court area. [38105/11]
- Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) Scheme 2011: Motion (1 Dec 2011)
Michael McGrath: I wish to share time with Deputy Kelleher. I will take ten minutes and Deputy Kelleher will take the balance. This debate is taking place against an extraordinary back-drop of uncertainty and fear. My party will be supporting the motion before the House. I do not believe we have any choice as a country. The consequences of ending the eligible liabilities guarantee scheme at this time...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance if the pension schemes of the commercial State companies are subject to the 0.6% annual pension levy; the total pension fund value of the commercial State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36966/11]
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised in a full year by extending the universal social charge to all income, including dividends and rental income but excluding interest. [36969/11]
- Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 139: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons over the age of 65 and 70 years, respectively, whose income places them above the eligibility criteria for automatic entitlement to a medical card at age 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37706/11]
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 140: To ask the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be foregone by amending the universal social charge to raise the threshold for the 2% rate to â¬6,000 and â¬8,000 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37708/11]
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 141: To ask the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised from reducing the threshold for capital acquisitions tax for Category A to â¬250,000 and Category B to â¬25,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37709/11]
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 142: To ask the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be raised from increasing the capital gains tax rates to 30% and 35%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37710/11]
- Written Answers — School Closures: School Closures (29 Nov 2011)
Michael McGrath: Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has divested the old school building of a school (details supplied) in County Cork back to the Diocese of Cork and Ross; if not, the timeframe for the divesting process to be completed; and his plans regarding the remaining prefabs on the site. [37629/11]